Spare wheel for automobile

ABSTRACT

A spare wheel for automobiles which removably attaches to the wheel of a flat tire and permits movement of the vehicle without fixing or removing the tire. The spare wheel comprises a pair of rigid wheel segments of unequal size which are pivotally connected and together form a wheel having a diameter at least as great as the tire. The smaller segment pivots outwardly to permit attachment of the unit to the wheel of the flat tire, after which the vehicle is advanced until the segments can be returned to the wheel forming position. The edge of the first segment which is common with the second segment is arcuately shaped to permit it to roll in either direction notwithstanding composition of the road surface.

United States Patent Zachmann [451 July 25,1972

[54] SPARE WHEEL FOR AUTOMOBILE FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [72]Inventor: Octave B. Zachmann, 7531 Angeline 35l,l 19 6/193] GreatBritain ..30l/38 S Drive, New Hope, Minn. 55428 Primary Examiner-RichardJ. Johnson [22] Flled' Atmrney--Merchant&Gould [21] Appl; No.: 63,771

[57] ABSTRACT 52 us. Cl. ..301/38 R A Spare Wheel for automobiles whichremovably attaches to 51 im. Cl ..B60b 11/00 the Wheel of a flat tireand Permits movement of the vehicle [58] w of Search II I I "301/38 R 3339 R' 39 C, 47; without fixing or removing the tire. The spare wheelcomprises 152/216 a pair of rigid wheel segments of unequal size whichare pivotally connected and together form a wheel having a I 56]References Cited diameter at least as great as the tire. The smallersegment pivots outwardly to permit attachment of the unit to the wheelUNITED STATES PATENTS of the flat tire, after which the vehicle isadvanced until the segments can be returned to the wheel formingposition. The 1,854,636 4/1932 Westbrook ..301/38 R edge of the firstSegment which is common with the second 1323,66) 9/1931 Nehm "301/381!segment is arcuately shaped to permit it to roll in either 2,257,5439/194] R direction notwithstanding composition of the road surface.3,016,078 1/1962 ..l52/2l6 3,295,894 1/1967 Perry ..301/38 R 9 Claims, 7Drawing Figures /7 s 34 5 Z8 3 33 r 2g 7 V v e ll .7 a M 1 /5 22 a? 2/l8 /6 T N I 5 /3 4 o 4 7 Z3 PATENTEDJULZS I972 679,267

sum 1 or 2 INVENTOR. OOTAVE B. ZACHMA/VN A T TOPNE VS PATENTED JUL 25I972 sum 2 or 2 /6 FIG 5 6 33 I I [1 I 6 a 33 FIG. 4

INVENTOR.

0C TAVE B. Z A CHM/\NN AT TORNEYS SPARE WHEEL FOR AUTOMOBILE Theinvention is related to spare wheels which attach directly to the wheelof a flat tire and offer rolling support to the vehicle.

Wheels of this type offer a tremendous advantage to the motorist havinga flat tire, since there is no need to jack up the car, and to removeand replace the defective tire.

Devices of this general type are not new. For example, see U.S. Pat. No.1,823,660 issued to Harry E. Nehin on Sept. 15, 1931, and U.S. Pat. No.2,535,567, issued to Edward Craig on Dec. 26, 1950. I have found that onrelatively soft road surfaces the device disclosed in the Nehin patentis extremely useful when flat tires are encountered, and is an excellentsubstitute for the conventional car jack, a fifth pneumatic tire and theback breaking chores related thereto.

However, I have also found that the average motorist does not have aflat tire or blow out on relatively soft road surfaces. Instead, tiretrouble is much more likely to occur during high speed driving on hardroad surfaces such as those found onfreeways.

The Nehin device comprises a pair of rigid wheel segments of unequalsize that are pivotally connected to forma wheel. The smaller segmentpivots outward to decrease the overall diameter of the device and permitits attachment to the wheel of a flat tire. The vehicle is then rolledforward or backward until the larger segment supports the vehicle, atwhich time the smaller segment is returned to its wheel formingposition. When attached to a non-driving wheel (usually a front wheel)of a vehicle, the Nehin device operates poorly or not at all because thestraight segmented surface of the larger segment lies flat on the groundand merely slides along the ground surface when the vehicle is advanced.

My invention overcomes this disadvantage by providing pivotallyconnected rigid wheel segments of unequal size wherein the largersegment has an arcuately shaped segmented surface. This edge insuresthat thespare wheel will roll onto its wheel surface notwithstandingcomposition of the road or the direction of vehicular movement.

I also provide connecting means for quickly and easily attaching thespare wheel to and removing it from the wheel of a flat tire.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS I FIG. 1 is a side elevation ofa sparewheel embodying the inventive principle as attached to the wheel of aflat tire, the overall combination being shown in a first position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the spare wheel and tire in a secondposition;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the spare wheel and tire in a thirdposition;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the spare wheel and tire, taken generallyalong the line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of means for connecting the spare wheel tothe tire, taken generally along the line 55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the connecting means taken generally alongthe line 66 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the overall connecting means taken alongthe line 7-7 of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1, a spare wheelembodying the inventive principle and represented generally by thenumeral 11 is shown attached to a wheel or hub 12 of a flat tire 13.Wheel 11 comprises a first rigid wheel segment 14 having a partial roadengaging wheel surface 140 and a segmented surface 14b, and a secondrigid wheel segment 15 having partial road engaging surface 15a. Wheelsegments 14 and 15 together form a full vehicle wheel which is capableof offering temporary rolling support to a vehicle. Segmented surface14b is arcuately formed to permit rolling movement of the vehicle, asdescribed more fully below.

As best seen in FIG. 4, the outer peripheral edge of both segments 14and 15 isgrooved to receive'a solid but resilient rubber member 16 whichserves as a temporary tire. The overall diameter of spare wheel 11 withrubber tire member 16in place is at least as great as, and preferablyslightly greater than, the diameter of tire 13 in an inflated state.

A circumferential flange 17 projects from the inner peripheral edgeofwheel segment 14 to form a hub which is sized tofit the inside recess ofwheel 12. Flange 17 can be removably attached to wheel 12, and describedin further detail below.

Wheelsegments I4 and. 15 are pivotally connected by a pair of straps 18,19 which, as shown in FIG. 3, are rigidly affixed atone end to thefaceof wheel segments 15. The opposite ends of straps l8, 19 are looped androtatably mountedon a pair of colinear bolts 21, 22, which are rigidlyaffixed to wheel segment I4. This structure permits wheel segment 15 tobe pivoted away from and out of the plane of wheel segment 14 tosimplify attachment of spare wheel 11 to wheel 12. Wheel segment 15 isheld in the wheel forming position as shown in FIG. 3 by apair ofthreaded stud members 23, 24 which are affixed to wheel segment 14 andproject through openings in the respective straps .18, I9. Wing nuts 25,26 screw on stud memhers-23, 24 to prevent wheel segment 15 from movingout of its wheel forming position.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, flange 17 carries a plurality of elongatedfasteners 28 which are constructed and arranged to engage wheel 12 andthereby enable spare wheel I l to remove the load from flat tire 13. Inthe preferred embodiment there are four equidistantly spaced fasteners28, each being mounted for pivotal movement in an-opening 30 formed inflange 17. This pivotal mounting comprises a pin 29 which is affixed toflange 17 by ears 31.

As'best shown in FIG. 6, the inner end of fastener 28 includes aplurality of teeth 32 .which engage and bite into the surface of wheel12. As best-shown in FIG. 4, the outer end of each fastener 28 isoperably connected to a diametrically opposed fastener 28 by a pair ofthreaded rods 33 and a turnbuckle 34. Thus, the rotation of turnbuckle34 can cause the inner end of fastener 28 to move either radially inwardand away from wheel, or radiallyoutward so that teeth 32 engage wheel12.

Flange 17 also may carry a plurality of spaced and adjustable threadedmembers 35, which serve to properly center spare wheel 11 inthe recessof wheel 12.

In the event of a flat tire as indicated by the numeral 13, spare wheelII is attached to wheel l2 by initially swinging wheel segment 15outward and moving hub 17 into a centered position-within the recess ofwheel 12 (FIGS. 1 and 4) with segmented surface 14b down. Turnbuckles 34are then rotated to draw theouter ends of fasteners 28 radially inward,thereby forcing the inner ends and teeth-32 radially outward intobitingengagement with the inner surface of wheel 12.

At this point the vehicle is still supported by the flat tire sincesegmented surface 14b does not touch the road. The vehicle is now movedeither forward or backward, which brings segmented surface 14b intoengagement with the road surface (FIG. 2). By virtue of the arcuateshape'of surface 14b, the vehicle easily rolls upward and onto partialwheel surface l4a. In'this position, wheel segment 15 can be moved toits wheel forming position with threaded stud members 23, 24 projectingthrough'the openings in straps l8, 19, respectively. Wing nuts 25'and 26are then screwed on stud members 23 and24 to hold wheel segment 15 inthe wheel forming position, and the automobile may thereafter be drivenuntil the tire can be repaired.

What is claimed is:

1. A spare wheel for a vehicle supported by pneumatic tires mounted onrigid wheels, comprising:

a first rigid wheel segment having a partial road engaging wheel surfaceand a segmented surface;

a second rigid wheel segment having apartial road engaging wheel surfaceand cooperable with the first wheel segment to form a vehicle supportingwheel having an essentially complete wheel surface; means for connectingthe first and second wheel segments in hinging relation to permit thesecond wheel segment to be rotated out of the plane of the first wheelsegment; means for releasably fastening the first wheel segment to oneof said vehicle wheels, comprising a plurality of elongated fasteningmembers, each fastening member having first and second ends and being 5.The spare wheel as defined by claim 1, wherein the diameter of the sparewheel is at least as great as the diameter of a pneumatic tire.

6. The spare wheel as defined by claim 1, wherein the means 5 forconnecting the first and second wheel segments comprises:

pivotally connected intermediate said end to the first wheel segment islarger than the second wheel segment.

3. The spare Wheel as defined by claim 1, wherein the partial wheelsurfaces of the first and second wheel segments are resilient.

4. The spare wheel as defined by claim 1, wherein the fastening membersare arranged in diametrically opposed pairs, and the actuating meanscomprises:

a threaded rod connected to the second end of each fastening member ofthe pair and projecting toward the opposed fastening member;

and a turnbuckle operatively connecting the threaded rods.

first and second rigid straps each of which has a portion affixed to thesecond wheel segment with an end projecting therefrom;

and first and second stud members projecting from the first wheelsegment in colinear relation;

the ends of the first and second rigid straps having bearing portionsrespectively received by the first and second stud members.

7. The spare wheel as defined by claim 4, wherein an opening is formedin each of the rigid straps. and the holding means comprises:

first and second threaded members affixed to the first wheel segment anddisposed to project through the respective openings in thefirst andsecond straps upon movement of the second wheel segment into the planeof the first wheel segment;

and a threaded nut for each threaded member.

8. The spare wheel as defined by claim 1, wherein the first wheelsegment further comprises a hub portion sized for insertion into therecess of a vehicle wheel, the releasable fastening means being disposedon the hub portion.

9. The spare wheel as defined by claim 6, and further comprising aplurality of adjustable members for centering the hub portion in thevehicle wheel recess.

1. A spare wheel for a vehicle supported by pneumatic tires mounted onrigid wheels, comprising: a first rigid wheel segment having a partialroad engaging wheel surface and a segmented surface; a second rigidwheel segment having a partial road engaging wheel surface andcooperable with the first wheel segment to form a vehicle supportingwheel having an essentially complete wheel surface; means for connectingthe first and second wheel segments in hinging relation to permit thesecond wheel segment to be rotated out of the plane of the first wheelsegment; means for releasably fastening the first wheel segment to oneof said vehicle wheels, comprising a plurality of elongated fasteningmembers, each fastening member having first and second ends and beingpivotally connected intermediate said end to the first wheel segment topermit radial outward movement of the first end into engagement with theinner face of a vehicle wheel; and actuating means for rotating eachfastening member to effect engagement of the first end thereof with thevehicle wheel; the segmented surface being arcuately shaped to permitsaid vehicle to roll thereon; and means for releasably holding thesecond wheel segment in the plane of the first wheel segment.
 2. Thespare wheel as defined by claim 1, wherein the first wheel segment islarger than the second wheel segment.
 3. The spare wheel as defined byclaim 1, wherein the partial wheel surfaces of the first and secondwheel segments are resilient.
 4. The spare wheel as defined by claim 1,wherein the fastening members are arranged in diametrically opposedpairs, and the actuating means comprises: a threaded rod connected tothe second end of each fastening member of the pair and projectingtoward the opposed fastening member; and a turnbuckle operativelyconnecting the threaded rods.
 5. The spare wheel as defined by claim 1,wherein the diameter of the spare wheel is at least as great as thediameter of a pneumatic tire.
 6. The spare wheel as defined by claim 1,wherein the means for connecting the first and second wheel segmentscomprises: first and second rigid straps each of which has a portionaffixed to the second wheel segment with an end projecting therefrom;and first and second stud members projecting from the first wheelsegment in colinear relation; the ends of the first and second rigidstraps having bearing portions respectively received by the first andsecond stud members.
 7. The spare wheel as defined by claim 4, whereinan opening is formed in each of the rigid straps, and the holding meanscomprises: first and second threaded members affixed to the first wheelsegment and disposed to project through the respective openings in thefirst and second straps upon movement of the second wheel segment intothe plane of the first wheel segment; and a threaded nut for eachthreaded member.
 8. The spare wheel as defined by claim 1, wherein thefirst wheel segment further comprises a hub portion sized for insertioninto the recess of a vehicle wheel, the releasable fastening means beingdisposed on the hub portion.
 9. The spare wheel as defined by claim 6,and further comprising a plurality of adjustable members for centeringthe hub portion in the vehicle wheel recess.